mHealth Monitoring of Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients: A Community-Based Implementation Study

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Aug 28;109(4):778-790. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0805. Print 2023 Oct 4.

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a global health problem. Compelled by the protracted healing process, initial and final outcomes of treatment are determined at 90 and 180 days, respectively, after initiation of treatment. Loss to follow-up during these intervals is substantial. Consequently, the effectiveness of treatment is largely unknown. We conducted an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design study of a community-based mobile health (mHealth) strategy to monitor adherence to anti-leishmanial treatment, adverse drug reactions, and therapeutic response compared with standard of care in two rural communities of Colombia. Three implementation outcomes were evaluated: usability and acceptability by qualitative methods and fidelity using quantitative methods. Fifty-seven patients were prospectively included in the mHealth intervention and 48 in the standard-of-care group. In addition, 24 community health leaders (CHLs), health workers, and patients participated in qualitative evaluations. The intervention significantly increased the proportion of patients having follow-up of therapeutic outcomes 90 and 180 days after initiating treatment from 4.2% (standard of care) to 82.5% (intervention), P < 0.001. The proportion of patients having records of treatment adherence, adverse drug reactions, and therapeutic response also increased significantly (P < 0.001). Fidelity to the intervention (recording of treatment adherence, adverse drug reactions, lesion photographs, and evaluation of therapeutic response) was 70-100%. The app was highly accepted by CHLs, health workers, and patients, who perceived that the app improved case identification and follow-up and met a public health need. Although usability was high, low connectivity affected real-time transmission of data. This community-based mHealth strategy facilitated access to health care for CL in rural areas and knowledge of treatment effectiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous* / diagnosis
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous* / drug therapy
  • Telemedicine* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome